India, July 17 -- The state government has decided to ban artificial flowers in order to boost floriculture and related activities in the state. The decision was taken after elected representatives from flower-growing regions complained that artificial flowers were badly affecting floriculturists, horticulture minister Bharat Gogawale told the legislative assembly on Wednesday.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has given a go-ahead for the proposed ban on artificial flowers, which are mostly imported from other countries, Gogawale said. "Accordingly we will issue an order soon," he stated.

Shiv Sena legislator Mahesh Shinde, who represents the Koregaon assembly constituency in Satara, had raised the issue in the assembly last week, sayin...